Peter Donoghue received his law degree from Duke University, where he was an editor of Law & Contemporary Problems, and his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Throughout his practice, Peter has focused on analyzing and resolving sophisticated legal issues. After graduating from Duke, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Kenneth F. Ripple of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, which is the court that hears appeals from the federal trial courts of Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. He then went to work as an associate in the Litigation Department of Mayer Brown, where he litigated complex actions, including one of the largest mass tort litigations ever filed.
From Mayer Brown, Peter re-entered government service, working as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago. At the City he handled commercial claims, as well as First Amendment, due process and other constitutional claims. His matters included high-profile cases involving the rights of protestors to gain access to a national political convention and a constitutional challenge to a City program aimed at abating the hazards posed by abandoned buildings. He also counseled City officials on their legal obligations.
Peter then joined the firm now known as DLA Piper LLP (US), which has become one of the largest law firms in the world. At DLA Piper, he focused his practice on counseling clients involved in business disputes and resolving complex class and business claims.
In 2013, Peter launched the Donoghue Law Firm, which he founded with the goal of providing business and business people with knowledgeable, practical, and responsive legal representation and advice.
Mr. Donoghue serves as a co-author of the Attorneys’ Guide to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, a leading treatise on appellate practice. He formerly worked as a development volunteer in Peru, and speaks English and Spanish.